Medical News Today: Pictures and symptoms of common STDs

Understanding symptoms and seeing pictures of STDs can help people identify the signs and encourage them to see a doctor.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are on the rise. In 2017, researchers saw an increase in STDs for the fourth year in a row, and the highest ever rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Most STDs are treatable, and many are curable. Early treatment significantly increases the likelihood of a good outcome. Prevention strategies and routine STD testing can help people avoid spreading these infections to their partners.

Pictures of common STDs

This article looks at the visual symptoms and other signs of common STDs.

Herpes

Image credit: Bober275, 2011.

Herpes

Image credit: GerardM, 2005.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Image credit: CDC/ Dr. M.F. Rein, 1976.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Image credit: SOA-AIDS Amsterdam, 2005.

Pubic lice

Image credit: CDC/ Reed and Carnrick Pharmaceuticals, 1976.

Pubic lice

Image credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013.

Chlamydia

Image credit: SOA-AIDS Amsterdam.

Chlamydia

Image credit: SOA-AIDS Amsterdam.

Gonorrhea

Image credit: CDC/ Joe Miller; Jim Pledger, 1974.

Gonorrhea

Image credit: CDC, 1970.

Bacterial vaginosis

Image credit: VeeBabzel, 2016.

Trichomoniasis

Image credit: CD, 2006.

Syphilis

Image credit: CDC, 1969.

Syphilis

Image credit: CDC/ Robert Sumpter, 1967.

Herpes

Herpes is a virus that can affect many areas of the body, including the mouth and eyes. The sexually transmitted form of herpes most commonly affects the genitals.

Symptoms of herpes include:

pain or unusual sensations on the genitals a few days before an outbreak

an outbreak of red or swollen blisters

blisters that are very painful and which eventually crust over

feeling ill or having low energy during an outbreak

No treatment can cure herpes. However, antiviral drugs can make outbreaks less painful and potentially reduce the risk of spreading the infection to a partner.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a virus that causes genital warts. It also increases the risk of some cancers, including cervical and throat cancer. A vaccine can prevent the virus, and some children receive the vaccine around the age of 12.

Many people with HPV have no symptoms. In fact, the types of HPV most likely to cause cancer rarely cause symptoms. Those who do have symptoms may develop small warts on and around their genitals.

Pubic lice

Pubic lice, also called crabs, are tiny insects that live in coarse hair, such as pubic hair. Pubic lice feed on a person’s blood.

They spread through close contact between people, or contact with clothing or other objects that have lice or eggs on them.

Symptoms of pubic lice include:

itching in the pubic area, especially at night when the lice are most active

red or swollen skin

black spots in underwear

gray or white spots in the pubic hair

People can treat pubic lice with medications that they can buy over the counter.

Chlamydia

Anyone who suspects they may have an STD should speak to a doctor.

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that affects both males and females. If left untreated in females, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause pelvic and stomach pain, and may even affect fertility.

Chlamydia can infect the vagina, penis, or rectum. Some people have no symptoms. Others experience:

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a bacterial infection that affects the vagina. Doctors do not know what causes it, but it is more common among sexually active women. This suggests that it may be sexually transmitted.

Many women with BV have no symptoms. Some experience itching or burning, which may resemble a yeast infection. Other BV symptoms include:

a fishy odor, especially after having sex

a thin, pale, grayish discharge from the vagina

burning when peeing

BV may go away without treatment. It may also come back. Some women need antibiotics to treat BV.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a virus that affects the liver. There are three types of hepatitis. Hepatitis A and B are sexually transmitted and highly contagious. Often, they do not cause symptoms, and a vaccination can protect against them.

Though it is uncommon, hepatitis C can also spread through sexual contact. Hepatitis C is a chronic illness that antivirals can sometimes cure.

The course of hepatitis and how treatable it is depends on the type of hepatitis a person has. The symptoms may go away on their own.

Symptoms of hepatitis include:

very low energy

unexplained stomach pain or pain in the upper right side of the abdomen

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, sometimes called trich, is a parasite that spreads through sexual and close contact. Most people with trichomoniasis do not know they have it. If it is left untreated, the infection can last for years and may spread to sexual partners.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis include:

pain during or after sex

unusual discharge from the penis

yellowish or greenish discharge from the vagina

fishy smell from the genitals

burning or red genitals

a sore, burning sensation inside the vagina or penis

An oral medication can cure trichomoniasis. People with a previous infection may get the infection again. People who have trichomoniasis are also at higher risk of contracting another STD.

HIV

Using a condom can help prevent the transmission of HIV.

HIV damages immune system cells, which makes it progressively more difficult for the body to fight infections.

Left untreated, HIV increases the risk of serious complications or even death from otherwise minor infections. People can contract HIV through contact with blood or genital fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluid.

Healthcare professionals can treat HIV using antiretroviral medication. This does not completely eradicate the virus but reduces the amount of HIV in the blood to undetectable levels, meaning it is no longer possible to transmit it sexually.

Without antiretroviral treatment, HIV moves into a latency stage that may cause no noticeable symptoms and eventually progresses to stage 3 HIV, also known as AIDS. As the disease progresses, people become more vulnerable to illness. They may have frequent infections.

Symptoms of stage 3 HIV include:

brown, pink, or red blotches on the skin of the mouth, eyelids, or nose

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that people can spread through sexual contact. Left untreated, it can cause serious complications and even death. But in the early stages, syphilis is treatable with antibiotics.

In the early stages of syphilis, people may notice sores at the site where syphilis entered the body, which is often the genitals. The sores are typically:

small and round

hard

painless

In the second stage of syphilis, symptoms include:

skin rash

swollen lymph nodes

fever

After the second stage, syphilis enters a latency period and might not cause symptoms. If syphilis enters the third and most serious stage of syphilis, it can affect the heart and brain.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor for any symptoms of an STD, especially if the symptoms do not go away on their own or cause intense pain. If a sexual partner has received a diagnosis for an STD, see a doctor for testing.

The CDC recommend the following STD testing guidelines for sexually active people:

All adults and teens ages 13 to 64 should get an HIV test at least once.

Sexually active women younger than 25 years old, women who have multiple partners or who have a new sexual partner, should seek chlamydia and gonorrhea testing annually.

All pregnant women should pursue testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis. Pregnant women at high risk for chlamydia and gonorrhea should get tested for these STDs, too.

Sexually active men who have sex with men should seek testing for syphilis and gonorrhea at least once a year. Men who have sex with anonymous partners or who have unprotected sex may need more frequent testing.

People who have sex without condoms or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), or who share drug equipment, should seek HIV testing at least annually.

Men who have sex with men should consult their doctors about HIV testing schedules. They may need testing every 3–6 months.

Summary

The outlook for STDs improves with treatment. Treatment can slow the progression and improve a person’s long-term health.

The right treatment depends on the diagnosis. It is essential for people diagnosed with an STD to use condoms during sexual activity and to tell any sexual partners about their status.

Preventive measures are very useful for reducing the frequency and impact of STDs. Taking PrEP can prevent a person from contracting HIV.

People who suspect they may have an STD may not want to see a doctor. However, knowing STD status is always the best option. The right diagnosis can ease an anxious mind, offer help finding the proper treatment, and prevent long-term complications.